Rovers WoP Strong in Canterbury

With the marathon season fast approaching, the Eastbourne Rovers ‘World of Pete’ (WoP) endurance group’s marathon hopefuls training is well underway. The group has had to endure appalling weather since the start of the year, with training taking place in torrential rain, high winds and sub-zero temperatures.
Today (22nd) was the first real test for the athletes, a benchmark for how they are responding to coach Pete Standen’s intense training schedule as they took on the Canterbury 10 Mile.
It was a very well organised race by Invicta East Kent with a warm, welcoming sports hall for changing. Cold conditions are par for the course this time of year, but thankfully there was no ice to contend with. However there were two main hills on an undulating course. The first was short and sharp after 4 miles, and a second longer hill at around 7 miles made it challenging, but there were plenty of opportunities to cruise.
Pete conditions his runners with a weekly hill set, so while nobody truly likes a hill, they were able to strongly climb awaiting the reprieve of a flat or descent.
Luke Tomsett was first Rover home, comfortably punching through the 1 hour mark with a time of 59:04 in 22nd place. Richard Davis was next in 61:37 in 42nd place. Phil Wood was 8th in his age category and 61st overall in a time of 64:26. Laura Seaman crossed the line in 72:26, she was 30th female and 223rd overall.
Training resumes Tuesday with more hills!